The Lancaster and Morecambe area is widely regarded
as the 'Gateway to the Lakes'. One of Britain's most beautiful regions,
the South Lakes can easily be reached from the Lancaster area, by train,
bus or car.
The Lake District is awash with a huge variety of attractions, from
the Beatrix Potter Musuem, the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway to Rheged.
Then of course there's Sellafield, but you can't have everything. Of
course, the Distirct has plenty of its own natural attractions which
are a powerful draw to walkers from all over the world.
Comments and additions to this and all our pages are very welcome.
BIRDWATCHING Cumbria is a big county with a wide range of habitats from estuaries
to sea cliffs, and reed beds to mountain tops. The
Cumbria Bird Club site details many of them. For more sites try
Where to Watch birds in Cumbria, Lancashire and Cheshire,
by J Guest and M Hutcheson. The Fatbirder
site also offers information for enthusiasts.
• North West
Raptor Protection Group The Raptor Conservation Web Site has been designed
as a publicity medium to enhance the environmental health of British
Raptors. Submissions for inclusion within the Raptor Conservation Web
Site Index from other Raptor Study Groups are welcomed and will be added
to this site free of any charge.
Originally carrying passengers and freight from
Ulverston to Lakeside, the only part now remaining is the just over
30 mile section from Haverthwaite through Newby Bridge to the terminus
at Lakeside. It was originally built as a branch line of the Furness
Railway in 1869, to establish a tourist link with the lake steamers
on Windermere. That popular - and unique - feature of the railway is
still maintained.
• The
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Ravenglass, Cumbria CA18 1SW Tel: 01229 717171 Fax: 01229 717011
E-mail:
Open: Trains run daily through March to October
This fab 15" Narrow Gauge Railway carries passengers from the old
Roman Port of Ravenglass seven miles along the Eskdale Valley to Eskdale
(Dalegarth) with a journey time of 40 minutes from Ravenglass to Eskdale.
Trains are hauled by either steam or diesel engines. It's a great little
trip, though there's not much to do at Eskdale when you get there, although
the scenery is stunning.
Getting There: Ravenglass is on the A595 coast road between Barrow-in-Furness
and Whitehaven. Many coach companies in the North-West run tours to
Ravenglass anf First North Western Trains services on the Lancaster-Barrow-Carlisle
line connect with Eskdale trains at Ravenglass.
WILDLIFE
• Aquarium of the Lakes Windermere Tel 015395 30153
Open: Daily from 9.00pm (Closed Christmas Day)
Discover the secret life of Lakeland's aquatic
wonders including duck sand otters; plus Morecambe Bay displays featuring
shraks and rays (but no submarines)
• Cumbria
Biodiversity Partnership A Biodiversity Partnership has been set up
involving local people, landowners, voluntary organisations, industry,
government agencies and local authorities. The Partnership aims to ensure
that the great variety of wildlife in Cumbria is sustained and, where
possible, enhanced.
• Cumbria Wildlife
Trust Cumbria Wildlife Trust is a registered charity
established in 1962. Supported by over 7000 members, it works
in partnership with landowners, local authorities, other conservation
organisations and businesses to conserve and protect wildlife and wild
places throughout Cumbria.
The Trust cares for over 40 nature reserves, which include peat bogs,
limestone pavements, ancient woodlands and coastal sites.
The Trust advises on the wildlife impacts of development and land management,
and carries out essential wildlife survey work.
• Red
Alert North West A community-based conservation project which aims
to secure the long term survival of native red squirrel populations,
in their natural habitat. It comprises 120 organisations and individuals
committed to safeguarding the remaining red squirrel populations in
North West England.
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